Don’t you just hate that cranky and run-down feeling you get when your period comes? While lots of ladies would like to tough it out without taking any medication, there are actually a few simple hacks you can use to get relief. With a little information on what to do, you can easily reduce all that pain you get every-time your period come knocking. Read on to find out more on 7 period hacks to make it less miserable.
#1. Sleep more
Try kicking your alarm clock to the curb. Experts have proven that it’s normal for a woman’s sleep cycle to get a little messed up before and during her periods. A recent study found that 30 percent of women report lack of resting sleep while they’re menstruating, which makes them cranky and less likely to make healthy choices during the day. So grab your eye mask and curl up in bed.
#2. Resist Caffeine
Perhaps you don’t know this, but going for the coffee isn’t going to help you out in the long run. Caffeine is known to make your PMS symptoms even worse, and it’s linked to elevating the levels of estrogen in the body. If you’re an addict that gets a splitting headache once you completely skip out on coffee, then you can have a little bit — maybe half a cup — and then switch to chai tea for the rest of the day.
#3. Try Some Lavender
Research says that putting a few drops of lavender oil on your pillow at night helps you sleep like a baby. Well, when you’re crampy and cranky, your beauty sleep will take all the help it can get. If you can’t get your hands on the oil form, grab a levender-scented candle or incense. It’s a relaxing smell that will help you forget about the discomfort and instead make you feel like you’re floating on a cloud.
#4. Track Your Cycle
Getting caught off-guard is often the cause of most of the discomfort women face during their period. The good news is there are so many apps and programs out there these days that can assist you in knowing your own cycle, and you’d be surprised at how helpful they can be!
#5. Take Vitamin E
A recent study revealed that women who took vitamin E supplements twice a day during their periods for four consecutive months reported a lower pain intensity than they had experienced previously. They even took fewer over-the-counter meds as a result, and had more energy. Go to your nearest health foods shop and get yourself a bottle before your period shows up again.
#6. Do Vinyasa Flow Yoga
There’s no doubt that exercise helps with premenstrual symptoms like cramping and a lack of energy. But experts have recommended the vinyasa flow. This particular practice allows you to move the body gently and fluidly, with very little to no impact.
#7. Get a Hot Water Bottle
According to studies, applying heat to your abdomen will get the blood flowing and relieve cramps – the same with using pain killers. Another study also found out that using a hot water bottle while relaxing actually blocks the pain messages that are being rapidly sent to your brain.
